Her partner, Ricky Walker, said Alexis missed just one cervical smear test in 2015 before her illness developed. She was originally diagnosed in July 2017 and underwent surgery and radiotherapy before being given the all-clear in May 2018.

She fell ill again at the end of May and in July it was confirmed the cancer had spread.

‘Missing one smear test cost her her life’

Mr Walker said, “Alex missed one cervical smear in 2015, which cost her her life. She used to tell women not to put off going for cervical screening.”

NHS chiefs have raised concerns that the take-up rate of smear tests among women is at a 20-year low.

Leeds alone has seen a drop of one percentage point for women aged 25 to 49 to 71.4 per cent and a fall of 0.8 percentage points to 77.5 per cent for women aged 50 to 64 between 2017 and 2018.

Although the test does not diagnose cancer, it does detect pre-cancerous changes in the cervix which can be monitored or treated with a minor surgical procedure to prevent cancer developing later on. Women are eligible for a test every three years from the age of 25.

The mum who ‘loved to make people smile’

Alexis had auditioned to appear on The X Factor and The Voice and had been successful in the early stages of both competitions – but had to pull out after falling ill.

Partner Ricky Walker said, “She was like a tornado, she was the life and soul of the party and she loved nothing more than singing.

“Alex absolutely adored her kids and she would be so happy that friends and family are raising money to take them on the trip of a lifetime.

“She was an amazing singer. One and Only by Adele was our song. She used to sing it to me with such a passion.

“She was loving and kind and anyone her last penny. She was generous to a fault and loved to make people smile.”

Alexis’ Mum, Ann-Marie Woolerton, 62, said, “From being a young girl all she wanted to do was sing. She was a fantastic singer.

“She was so popular and had hundred of friends. We miss her so much.”

Friend Stephanie Farquharson added, “She was inspirational. Whenever she walked into a room and sang she stopped people in their tracks.